Parents permission for obs

[maz82]

Can someone help please, the only answer I can come up with is because it is their child that we are observing. This is obviously not enough!!
Thanks

Why it important to obtain permission from parents before carrying out observations

[sarahnev707]

We need to fully involve parents in eveyrthing we do and explain the Eyfs to them so they understand the processes we go through to give them the best learning and development experience.

You would be pretty stuffed if a parent refused you permission for obs, so you need to keep it very positive... without obs you cannot plan, without planning you cannot give the child the best. They are what you would do anyway to be the best practioner you possibly can be... so now with Eyfs you are taking it a stage further and writing some of them down.

Also mention that they do not detract from your time with the child because you are doing them as you play... and a photo speaks volumes so you need permission for those with specific permission for what you are allowed to do with them.

Obs help you to determine children's learning styles, spot schemas in their play, give you a basis from which to work with the child.

Obviously you want parents to contribute to obs and this is a very important part of your discussions with them. You need to know what the child is doing elsewhere etc... this helps you meet Principle 2.2 of the eyfs as well.

Hope something here helps!

[Ruthierhyme]

Hi Maz

When observing a child you are evidencing & witnessing everything that is that child at any given moment in time.. development, stages, skills, abilities, struggles, compromises, conflicts, agreements, interactions, relationships, disputes, emotions - all fairly personal stuff !!

Observing another needs the permission from the care giver who takes full responsibility for the overall welfare of the child - to ensure their safe keeping and wellbeing.

To all accounts you will be using the data collected through the observations to make assumptions and professional judgements, now and possibly in the future.

Your professional judgement is part of what provides your quality of service - and in that, your accountability.

ie: If you make a decision I consider incorrect or disputable .. and I didn't sign I can shout, if I signed then to a degree I gave consent to the possibility of this happening, and from there we have to assess any damage or risk.

As Sarah recommends explaining how you use the observations will help Parents make informed decisions over permissions - who will have access to the information, why they have access and what that in itself may involve/mean.

A possibly controversial view, but as a parent I would very much like to see the standard provision for an opt out of observations, being much more interested in the accessibility of activities and how they are individually assessed.

xx